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Post by TJ's Rodent Ranch on May 1, 2023 18:48:20 GMT -8
Hi there. I have a solitary pup who I'm having trouble sexing. Pretty much all the experience I have of sexing gerbils is book knowledge, and unfortunately a crisis a while back led to him/her being the only survivor of the litter, leaving me no frame of reference for figuring my problem out. He/she is getting to the point where I need to find out soon, so after a while of wondering, guessing, and realizing I had no clue, I decided to post my problem. Still figuring out how to post pictures, but I think the link below should work. Unfortunately I can't test it until this is already posted...  Thanks so much. photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipPKVNdF7fuGwoL0HzNMUhfd3kC_zMEvIkZgCWrw(Edit: Clicking the link directly doesn't seem to work, I had to highlight it, and then right click and open it in a new tab. I have no skills with technology, 😅) ![]() [edit by markpd, fixed, I think!  Nope, link is no good! lol] |
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Post by LilyandDaisy on May 2, 2023 2:28:24 GMT -8
Hello, I can't see the photo. You could try uploading it to ImgBB. |
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Post by TJ's Rodent Ranch on May 2, 2023 19:54:51 GMT -8
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Post by LilyandDaisy on May 4, 2023 3:32:06 GMT -8
I can see the photo but can't make out the sex with certainty. Do you have any photos from slightly different angles or different lighting?
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Post by TJ's Rodent Ranch on May 4, 2023 9:26:03 GMT -8
Hmm, I had trouble finding a good way to hold him so he won't flip over when I turn him upside down. '
I'll try again with another photo, however, and see if that works. I'll just send a few.
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Post by TJ's Rodent Ranch on May 4, 2023 14:47:47 GMT -8
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Post by LilyandDaisy on May 5, 2023 6:55:08 GMT -8
Looks female to me. Hopefully others can confirm?
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Post by icecontroller2529 on May 5, 2023 10:45:52 GMT -8
Looks female to me. Hopefully others can confirm? I'm finding it tricky as well. She (?) seems a bit hairy to me, so it's difficult to see details. I would also guess that this is a female. A male would probably be bumpier/bulgier where the testicles are. But I'm far from sure. |
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Post by TJ's Rodent Ranch on May 5, 2023 22:50:51 GMT -8
Okay, thank you.
I also had trouble because he/she is very hairy and I can't tell for sure. I did spread the hair out around the genitals, as shown in the first picture, but it doesn't seem to have helped much. I'm keeping her/him with Dad until absolutely necessary to separate them, so I might be able to get better pictures in a little while.
He/she is very resistant to being turned upside down, so it's really hard to get her/him in the position to get the picture.
Thank you for the responses, I was crossing my fingers for a girl, so hopefully you're right.
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Post by icecontroller2529 on May 7, 2023 10:23:41 GMT -8
Okay, thank you. I also had trouble because he/she is very hairy and I can't tell for sure. I did spread the hair out around the genitals, as shown in the first picture, but it doesn't seem to have helped much. I'm keeping her/him with Dad until absolutely necessary to separate them, so I might be able to get better pictures in a little while. He/she is very resistant to being turned upside down, so it's really hard to get her/him in the position to get the picture. Thank you for the responses, I was crossing my fingers for a girl, so hopefully you're right. I think you did a great job with the photos. It's just a hairy gerbil. We might never find out whether it's a male or female. About taking photos of gerbils' bottoms - some people put the gerbils into a transparent box and take a photo from underneath, would that be an option? Also, it might be helpful to have a picture taken from the side. The males have a visible bump under the tail. Might be difficult to tell with your little hairy one, though ... |
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Post by Markpd on May 7, 2023 17:40:19 GMT -8
I know you're using ImgBB now (so all sorted ), but JFYI, Google images can't be directly shown in the forum (no idea why). The only thing you can do with those is post the links here.
I hope you manage to find out its sex soon! Btw, how about putting your gerbil in a jar? You might be able to get a good photo then, if they'll sit still for a second! (munching a treat perhaps ). |
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Post by TJ's Rodent Ranch on May 8, 2023 12:59:07 GMT -8
Thank you, I'll try JFYI in the future and see if that works better, I know it can be easier if it's not a link and just a direct photo in the post.
As for the picture, I think the main problem is just that he/she is too hairy to really tell. In another week or so it'll hopefully be apparent, though!
Should I remove her/him from Dad? He's been teaching behavioral instincts, how to dig, forage for food, make a nest, etc. The pup hasn't learned all of it yet, as he/she spent a lot of time alone and I only put dad in after a while. So they haven't had a lot of time together, but if it's a girl, should I take her out before there's any danger of her getting pregnant?
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Post by Markpd on May 8, 2023 14:17:31 GMT -8
JFYI= Just For Your Information , was just saying that you can't post Google photos here directly, sadly. I think you can with ImgBB though, checkout the link in my sig, that post also has a link to an ImgBB guide. |
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Post by TJ's Rodent Ranch on Jun 25, 2023 14:35:00 GMT -8
Update on this thread, for anyone curious...
He has been living with his dad for a while now, and after checking again around the six-week mark (I was worried about mating)
It's a boy! Definitely a boy!
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Post by Markpd on Jul 9, 2023 4:49:21 GMT -8
Ah good to see you were finally able to sex him, and that he was able to stay with his dad |
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Nope, link is no good! lol]
), late 70s